Manchester United stars are keen to avoid any distraction this season - and that includes the return of Mason Greenwood to the dressing room, it has been claimed.
The United forward had all charges against him - attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm - dropped on Thursday. This was following his arrest last year.
With the 21-year-old still very much on Manchester United's books, the club responded by launching an internal investigation. A statement from United read: " Manchester United notes the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped.
"The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps. We will not make any further comment until that process is complete."
While the club continues its investigation, it has been claimed that the players have already made their mind up on whether Greenwood should return. United currently sit in third, eight points behind leaders Arsenal and firmly in the running for a Champions League place.
It means United are very much ahead of schedule in Erik ten Hag's reign, with the side also competing on three other fronts; United are in the Carabao Cup final, Europa League knockout play-offs and FA Cup fifth round.
It is with this in mind that, while the players are reportedly open to Greenwood's return at some point, they are wary of the impact it could have on the dressing room this season.
A source told The Sun : "The players are open to him returning to the team but the scrutiny could be massively distracting. The dressing room is the happiest it has been for ages and no one wants to rock the boat."
It has been further reported that it's not just the United players who feel unsure about the situation. The Guardian have claimed that the club's staff are split over the forward's future.
While some believe Greenwood should never pull on a United jersey again, there are those who feel a duty of care should be in place for a player who has been with the club since the age of seven.
Further to this, the report adds United are reaching out to as many as 25 global partners of the club to ascertain their feelings on whether Greenwood should return. The forward lost a number of sponsorship deals following his arrest, including Nike.
Should United decide not to keep Greenwood at the club, The Sun also claim that Greenwood would be willing to embark on a new football career in China.
A source told the publication: "He said he would be happy to go and play in China as long as that meant he was getting paid well and was playing. His view may have softened over the last few months, but he was not happy at all."
